http://www.vftt.org/forums/
- discussion forum dedicated to backcountry pursuits in New EnglandenThu, 24 May 2018 18:52:31 GMTvBulletin60http://www.vftt.org/forums/images/misc/rss.pnghttp://www.vftt.org/forums/
Best hikes in the Berkshireshttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59832-Best-hikes-in-the-Berkshires&goto=newpost
Thu, 24 May 2018 14:49:03 GMTWhat are your favorite hikes that you've done in the Berkshires?
Two main types I'm looking for:
1) Best hikes for a 5-year-old. Looking for rivers/streams, some moderate ups and downs, and some nice views. A Berkshire version of Mt Willard.
2) Best hikes involving long distance at high elevation. Basically a mini version (if there is one) of the Gulfside Trail or above-treeline Crawford Path.
Thanks.
]]>Billyhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59832-Best-hikes-in-the-BerkshiresTaconic Crest Trailshttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59831-Taconic-Crest-Trails&goto=newpost
Thu, 24 May 2018 02:12:29 GMTI stumbled across the Taconic Crest Trail, Taconic Skyline, and South Taconic Trail in something I was reading. It wasn't clear, are these 3 connected trails that are continuous? How long can you hike continuously using these trails? What is there distance? Do they run in MA, VT, and NY? Any info or links that has the details would be appreciated. And has anyone hiked here? Is it worth a backpacking trip?
]]>tomcat32http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59831-Taconic-Crest-TrailsVermont Camping Next Few Weekshttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59830-Vermont-Camping-Next-Few-Weeks&goto=newpost
Thu, 24 May 2018 00:09:30 GMTLast night I was researching some VT hikes and was about to pull the trigger on a reservation first week in June and then had a "wait a minute" moment when I realized the campsite I was booking (Moosalamoo) was wide open the first weekend in June (and an alternate I looked at was pretty open as well). Am I missing something? Is mud season still in effect? Campground shows as opening Memorial Day weekend and most of the posts I found about mud season say the trail closures end Memorial Day weekend. Am I missing an obvious issue here? Never been to VT, which is why I was going and seeing a wide open campground on a Summer weekend set off some red flags. If I am making an obvious blunder please let me know. Thanks.
]]>DayTriphttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59830-Vermont-Camping-Next-Few-WeeksDry River Rescue - Deep Snowhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59828-Dry-River-Rescue-Deep-Snow&goto=newpost
Mon, 21 May 2018 23:16:56 GMTWeek before Memorial Day, Deep Snow?

Yup I believe it. I ran into 4' plus on the Howker Ridge Trail last Friday, luckily it was early after a cold night so it was still firm enough to walk on.

Good data point that a PLB worked in that area.
]]>peakbaggerhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59828-Dry-River-Rescue-Deep-Snowhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59826-Mts-Morgan-amp-Percival&goto=newpost
Mon, 21 May 2018 01:19:45 GMTBefore I go, does anyone know if the trails & parking lot are open?
]]>richardhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59826-Mts-Morgan-amp-PercivalAbol Trail to Baxter Peak will open May 21st.http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59823-Abol-Trail-to-Baxter-Peak-will-open-May-21st&goto=newpost
Sat, 19 May 2018 15:46:35 GMTUnusual news from Baxter, announcing in advance a spring season Katahdin trail opening.
Camping season was postponed from the regular 5/15 to 5/21.
There are open sites at Abol Campground, if you feel like calling in sick for a pre-blackfly trip.Unusual news from Baxter, announcing in advance a spring season Katahdin trail opening.
Camping season was postponed from the regular 5/15 to 5/21.
There are open sites at Abol Campground, if you feel like calling in sick for a pre-blackfly trip.
]]>TJ aka Teejhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59823-Abol-Trail-to-Baxter-Peak-will-open-May-21stWoman climbs tree to escape coyotes - Near Boston!http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59822-Woman-climbs-tree-to-escape-coyotes-Near-Boston!&goto=newpost
Fri, 18 May 2018 16:16:02 GMTThis happened near Saugus, MA

"A woman hiking on a Massachusetts reservation says coyotes surrounded her and her dog, forcing her to climb a tree to safety."

Full article: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/15...servation.html
]]>Tom Rankinhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59822-Woman-climbs-tree-to-escape-coyotes-Near-Boston!Road status - northern N.H.http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59821-Road-status-northern-N-H&goto=newpost
Fri, 18 May 2018 15:13:48 GMTHere is a link to the official road status page (gate list) for northern N.H. It's useful this time of year.

http://www.nhstateparks.org/uploads/...tes-Status.pdf
]]>srhighamhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59821-Road-status-northern-N-HFYI - Monday is a canadian Holidayhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59820-FYI-Monday-is-a-canadian-Holiday&goto=newpost
Thu, 17 May 2018 23:45:54 GMTVictoria Day is Monday the 21st, usually lots of Canadians on the trails and at Tuckerman's.
]]>peakbaggerhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59820-FYI-Monday-is-a-canadian-HolidayWild River Campground NHhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59819-Wild-River-Campground-NH&goto=newpost
Thu, 17 May 2018 17:40:20 GMTI was looking online at booking at Wild River Campground in/near Evans Notch and the website says it is first come/first serve. Can I safely assume that driving up on a FRI afternoon that I have a zero percent chance of actually getting a campsite? Was hoping to go in next few weeks and I'll likely be limited to a weekend trip. Was wondering/hoping maybe that area gets a later start to the year than other sites. Anyone feedback on this campground would be appreciated. Thanks.
]]>DayTriphttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59819-Wild-River-Campground-NHMaine Moose Density may be too highhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59817-Maine-Moose-Density-may-be-too-high&goto=newpost
Wed, 16 May 2018 19:09:31 GMThttps://bangordailynews.com/2018/05/16/outdoors/wildlife-biologists-say-maine-need-to-shrink-its-moose-herd-to-keep-it-healthy/
This is not the first time I heard this contention. The moose population exploded in the 1980s as result of massive clear cuts from the last spruce budworm epidemic....https://bangordailynews.com/2018/05/...ep-it-healthy/

This is not the first time I heard this contention. The moose population exploded in the 1980s as result of massive clear cuts from the last spruce budworm epidemic. The moose re-entered areas of NH and VT where they had been wiped out for 100 plus years. They did well in this new territory but brought along the winter tick that is exclusive to moose. The moose density got too high and the winter tick population exploded. Several warm winters encouraged winter tick populations to survive in great numbers. Infant moose and juvenile mortality of moose increased significantly due to tick infestations and now the moose are receding back from the warmer regions with milder winters to their old core territory where the winters still are cold enough to knock back the ticks. Once the moose population drops significantly the winter ticks dont have anywhere to overwinter and their population will crash which will set in place the conditions for the moose to expand again assuming that they can tolerate a warmer southern range due to AGW.

I dont miss the days in the eighties where there seemed to be " moose every mile" in the whites along the roads. It was not unusual to count 10 moose on a drive to North Conway from Gorham. I had several close calls with my econoboxes including almost harpooning a bull with the front end of my new 18 foot cedar strip kayak that stuck out on both ends of my Honda Civic. I much prefer seeing them or their sign on occasion in the deep woods or on some remote pond instead of hanging out in mud puddle on the side of the highway.

Incidentally last week I had the occasion to drive from Gorham to the Waterville Valley exit on I 93 two days in row in the early morning. On the second trip I counted two moose carcasses in I(I93 south and several fresh scenes that looked like vehicle moose accidents that were not there the morning before.
]]>peakbaggerhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59817-Maine-Moose-Density-may-be-too-highRMC Increasing their Fees at their facilities for Non Membershttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59816-RMC-Increasing-their-Fees-at-their-facilities-for-Non-Members&goto=newpost
Wed, 16 May 2018 13:54:57 GMThttp://www.randolphmountainclub.org/...rshelters.html

In other club publications there have been comments about how often they are "stiffed" by folks claiming they don't have cash when they arrive. I would speculate its the one time non members that probably are the most likely folks who fail plan to bring cash and fail to send in their payments that they promised. In order for the high camps to be able to run they do need caretakers 7 days a week and that is not inexpensive. It takes a special person to want to deal with a couple of composting privies that at best only actually compost a few months a year due to low ambient temps along with the minority of the folks that demand special attention. The club does on occasion need to support the winter operation of Gray Knob with helicopter flights to haul heavy consumables up and that is not cheap. Gray Knob given the environment its located and year round use has a lot of maintenance needs as the combination of intermittent heat and large amounts of moisture given off by wet gear makes for significant wear and tear on the structure. The club also has been rebuilding the other sites to deal with the high usage.

RMC is non profit, the management are volunteers, only the trail crew and the caretakers are paid and the club does what they can to subsidize those roles with grants and donations.
]]>peakbaggerhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59816-RMC-Increasing-their-Fees-at-their-facilities-for-Non-MembersMillinocket Area Landmark being torn downhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59810-Millinocket-Area-Landmark-being-torn-down&goto=newpost
Sat, 12 May 2018 15:44:51 GMTThe butt of many jokes over the years for folks driving to Baxter State Park is being torn down
https://bangordailynews.com/2018/05/12/business/storied-maine-topless-dance-club-razed-to-make-way-for-gun-shop/
Its been closed for years.The butt of many jokes over the years for folks driving to Baxter State Park is being torn down

Its been closed for years.
]]>peakbaggerhttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59810-Millinocket-Area-Landmark-being-torn-downBlack Crescenthttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59809-Black-Crescent&goto=newpost
Fri, 11 May 2018 18:16:38 GMTCan one access Black Crescent from the Jimtown road area on the Southeast side?
What is a good access point to climb this peak from the southeast?
I believe a shorter northern approach is not doable because of forest roads still being closed.
How are the woods up there? Thanks!Can one access Black Crescent from the Jimtown road area on the Southeast side?
What is a good access point to climb this peak from the southeast?
I believe a shorter northern approach is not doable because of forest roads still being closed.
How are the woods up there? Thanks!
]]>SpencerVThttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59809-Black-CrescentMaine route 9 (airline)http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59802-Maine-route-9-(airline)&goto=newpost
Wed, 09 May 2018 18:11:30 GMTWe're going to Acadia NP on Victoria Day weekend and are looking for hike suggestions for the return trip (route 9, Maine, eastbound between Bangor and Calais). 2-3 hours round trip would be perfect, but not picky.:). Looking to break up the trip a bit.
]]>Machttp://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?59802-Maine-route-9-(airline)